The mixed emotions on Latter-day Saint boxer Lani Daniels’ face were palpable as she participated in her first interview after becoming the newly crowned WBO/IBF super middleweight champion late Friday.
On one hand, Daniels achieved a significant upset by defeating the celebrated champion Shadasia Green with a 9th-round TKO (technical knockout). This marked a remarkable and unexpected victory for the 37-year-old New Zealand athlete, who has persevered through pain and challenges to reach this milestone at the legendary Madison Square Garden.
However, a look of concern crossed Daniels’ face as she conducted a live interview with ESPN from the same ring where she had earned her third world title. After witnessing Green take a series of rapid punches towards the end of the scheduled 10-round bout, the referee intervened, stopping the match.
It was clear that Green was in distress, and silence fell over the arena as medical teams attended to her. She entered the fight with only one loss on her professional record and was eventually carried out on a stretcher. ESPN later reported that Green was “doing well” as they concluded their broadcast.
In a post-fight interview, ESPN commentator Ariel Helwani congratulated Daniels on achieving “the biggest win of your career,” while also expressing concern for Green’s condition. When asked how she felt, Daniels first spoke a few words in Maori before switching to English, saying, “I give thanks to our Heavenly Father and massive love and respect to my opponent — I hope that everything’s well.” She also acknowledged the support from her family and fans.
Friday’s bout was Daniels’ second significant match in the U.S. against a highly regarded opponent. Last year, she lost a decision to Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic champion and often considered the best female boxer in the world. Reflecting on that fight, Daniels stated, “I learned a lot throughout that (Shields) fight and made the necessary changes.” She relocated to train at home in Pipiwai, New Zealand, with a world champion as her coach.
A Fighter with a Plan
Entering the ring as the underdog amid the excitement of Madison Square Garden, Daniels was all smiles, sporting a characteristic cap and a shirt adorned with signatures from “Team Lani” supporters. Accompanied by her sister Caroline and a team member in a blue BYU hat, Daniels faced Green, whose size advantage was apparent during the pre-fight instructions.
From the start, it was evident that the lifelong Latter-day Saint aimed to aggressively approach the champion, surprising both ESPN commentators and boxing enthusiasts with her constant pressure. While Daniels took several punches in the early rounds, she quickly recovered and continued to force Green into corners, exchanging blows effectively.
What’s Next for Lani Daniels?
In an interview with the Deseret News a few days prior to the fight, Daniels was uncertain about her boxing future but expressed a strong desire to continue her community service. As a mental health nurse working with children and teens, she understands grief deeply, having lost her younger brother to cancer years ago. Her family, culture, faith, and boxing have helped her cope and achieve the opportunities she enjoyed on Friday in New York City.
